Meghan Bailey ’25 Finds Mentorship, Opportunity at the Carmel Dance Festival

For Meghan Bailey ’25, an Andrews Scholar in the John V. Roach Honors College, dance is not just movement — it’s a transformative journey that has shaped her artistry and career. As a 2025 Dance Fellow at the Carmel Dance Festival, Bailey has experienced the power of community, creativity and perseverance firsthand. Her time at the festival was nothing short of life-changing, allowing her to perform groundbreaking works, build invaluable connections and take a significant step toward her professional dance career. 

“I heard about this fellowship from my advisor, Sarah Newton,” said Bailey. “She has been a huge inspiration for me the past four years and always encourages me to push the boundaries of what I think is possible. I am so thankful for her support in this process because it made me realize how tangible my dreams really are.” 

An Immersive Week of Training and Creativity

The Carmel Dance Festival’s Fellowship Program is a week-long intensive that offers dancers and choreographers an immersive experience through rigorous training, creative exploration and professional development, all under the guidance of esteemed mentors. Bailey’s participation in this esteemed program not only challenged her physical and artistic boundaries but also fostered connections within the dance community. 

During the fellowship, Bailey had the privilege of performing three unique works:  

• “Scheherazade: 1001 Nights” by Javon “Ja’Moon” Jones 
• “Time Killer” by Daniel Ojeda 
• An improvised partnering work with fellow dancer Matthew Manuel 

Each piece presented a distinct challenge and creative opportunity. “Scheherazade: 1001 Nights” was an exploration of character building and prop negotiation within dance, set against the backdrop of ancient folklore. “Time Killer” embraced elements of dance theatre, drawing inspiration from a ’90s sitcom unraveling as one character decides to leave the show. Finally, the improvisational duet, performed to live music, pushed the boundaries of connection and spontaneous movements. These experimental works contributed to Bailey’s artistic growth and provided a rich foundation for research in performance and choreography.  

Mentorship, New Opportunities 

Bailey’s goal was to foster meaningful relationships within the dance community, and she left with more than she could have imagined. She was offered a position with HD Theatre, a contemporary dance company based in Los Angeles, directed by Haley Heckethorn and Joe Davis. Additionally, she formed a valuable connection with renowned choreographer Alex Ketley and received mentorship from dance legend Lillian Barbeito.   

With her recent contract with HD Theatre, she has already begun her journey as a professional dancer, eager to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.   

“The opportunity to be a dance fellow opened doors for me that I would have never thought could be possible,” said Bailey. “I’m more excited than ever to begin my dance career and explore what opportunities are yet to come.”